Reborn in 1982: I Became the Richest Man by Repairing Cars

"I've been setting up my stall for over an hour now, I've already eaten."

Old Wu clicked his tongue and advised, "Xiao Jiang, listen to my advice. The repair shop is a secure job. You can become a full-time employee after three years of apprenticeship. You'll have seniority, social security, and a guaranteed income regardless of the circumstances."

"You set up a stall here, braving wind and rain, getting sunburned in the summer and having your hands chapped in the winter. Earning a little money depends entirely on luck."

"The worst part is that people look down on me."

Jiang Hui knew that Old Wu meant well, so he didn't refute him. He just smiled and changed the subject: "Grandpa, look at this alley entrance, it's much more lively than last year."

"I saw someone selling imported nylon stockings just a few days ago, two yuan a pair, which is very expensive."

The two chatted casually for a while, and the morning passed by.

Occasionally, a few Beijing 212 and Volga sedans would drive past the alley entrance; they were all government vehicles, speeding along without any intention of stopping.

Jiang Hui had no harvest, while Old Wu, who had a stall next to him, repaired three bicycles and earned 1.2 yuan.

"Uncle Wu, I'm going back for lunch. I'll leave the planks here for now. Could you please keep an eye on them for me?" Jiang Hui picked up his toolbox and greeted Old Wu.

By this time, word had already spread throughout the courtyard that Jiang Hui had set up a car repair stall.

Several women from different households were picking vegetables in the courtyard, their voices neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for Jiang Hui to hear.

"Yuxiu, you have to keep an eye on Xiaojiang. Setting up a stall is so embarrassing. He looks like a street urchin. If word gets out, our whole neighborhood will lose face."

Aunt He was wearing a floral cotton jacket, picking spinach in her hands, her tone carrying a hint of disdain—her son worked at the grain station, a "respectable job" that everyone envied.

"Exactly. Why give up a perfectly good, secure job to mess around with things? If you lose money in the future, you'll drag your family down with you."

Aunt Li chimed in.

Jiang Hui paused, then said in a deep voice, "Aunt He, I make a living by my skills at this stall. I don't steal or rob, and I'm not bringing shame to anyone."

The two were caught off guard by Jiang Hui's sudden return. Their faces flushed red and then paled, and they hurriedly made an excuse to leave: "Oh dear, I still have some vegetables stewing in the pot!"

"I have to go buy soy sauce, I'm off."

Four families lived in the small, crowded courtyard.

Each family only had two or three small houses, with the addition of a small kitchen, a small side room, or even a shed; this was the norm.

For example, the Jiang family's small kitchen was simply extended outdoors, making it a semi-open space.

"The second child is back."

"Have some water first, Mom will stir-fry some vegetables and then we'll eat."

Zhang Yuxiu didn't ask Jiang Hui about the car repair stall. She acted as if nothing had happened and smiled as she invited him inside to prepare for dinner.

To avoid putting pressure on Jiang Hui during meals, Wu Yuxiu would clean the kitchen first and only sit down to eat after Jiang Hui had finished eating and left the house.

Business remained slow in the afternoon. As the sun grew stronger, Jiang Hui leaned against a poplar tree and dozed off.

The chirping of cicadas rose and fell, and occasionally a breeze would blow by, bringing a touch of coolness.

It wasn't until after get off work hours that the alleyway became lively, with many people hurrying along on their old-fashioned bicycles, lunchboxes and nets hanging from the handlebars.

Wudaoying Hutong is connected by two main roads running east to west. It is frequented not only by local residents but also by many passersby, which is why Jiang Hui chose to set up his stall here.

"Xiao Jiang, how's business today?"

A gentle voice rang out, and Jiang Hui immediately perked up.

"Sister Wanqiu, you're off work?"

Lin Wanqiu wore a light blue polyester shirt and black polyester pants, her hair was tied in a simple ponytail, and her face had a faint blush.

As a former educated youth who returned to the city after being sent to the countryside, she worked as a substitute teacher at a nearby middle school, earning 25 yuan a month.

Although not many, she had a respectable job and was beautiful, making her the object of affection for many young men in the alley.

"Yeah, there's no evening self-study today, so I came back early."

The words Jiang Hui wrote on the wooden board were written with chalk borrowed from Lin Wanqiu.

She naturally knew that Jiang Hui had given up his job at the repair shop and chosen to set up a car repair stall.

Although she didn't understand Jiang Hui's choice, she didn't object.

In her previous life, Lin Wanqiu was Jiang Hui's wife. She was very virtuous and suffered most of her life with Jiang Hui.

Just as things were starting to look up, Jiang Hui's heart began to wander.

Even though the girls outside are not as pretty as his wife, he still thinks the wildflowers smell better.

Ultimately, it ended in divorce.

Having been reborn, Jiang Hui secretly resolved to make up for the regrets of his previous life and protect her for a peaceful life.

However, the two have not officially confirmed their relationship yet.

"I'll pick you up when you have evening self-study sessions from now on."

Because of her good looks, many people have tried to harass Lin Wanqiu since she was a child.

Jiang Hui had to fight several times before the situation began to change somewhat.

The two families originally lived in adjacent courtyards and had known each other since childhood.

Over time, their relationship naturally became better than that of ordinary people.

Especially in the past two years, after Lin Wanqiu returned to the city, Jiang Hui would often find opportunities to go to her to ask her questions about things he didn't understand, his intentions were obvious.

Now that the stall has officially started, spending time with Lin Wanqiu is naturally an important part of the day.

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble?"

Lin Wanqiu did not refuse directly.

Since the beginning of this year, the security situation in various places has deteriorated significantly.

To be honest, she was a little scared when she got home that night.

"I'm more than happy to be able to pick you up and take you home, how could I find it troublesome?"

Upon hearing Jiang Hui's words, Lin Wanqiu's face flushed.

Jiang Hui was preparing for the college entrance examination. If he passed, he would become a college student.

Starting last year, college students are no longer allowed to get married.

If Jiang Hui really gets into university, Lin Wanqiu will be 25 years old by the time he graduates.

She was also worried that Jiang Hui might change his mind by then.

It seems there's nothing to worry about now.

"You still haven't answered my question."

Noticing that Old Wu from the shoe repair stall next door was staring at the two of them curiously, Lin Wanqiu quickly ended the conversation.

"I've arranged all my wrenches and pliers here neatly, like a military parade."

"At the end of the day, the only 'customer' was a child who asked me if I could help fix a toy car."

Faced with Lin Wanqiu's questioning, Jiang Hui shrugged, showing no anxiety whatsoever.

"It's normal to have no business on the first day; people don't even know you're setting up a stall here yet!"

Others may not know your car repair skills, but I have great confidence in you.

The job at the repair shop has already been given up, and it's definitely not a good idea to back out now.

We should at least hold on for a while before making any decisions.

Lin Wanqiu had a clear understanding of Jiang Hui's current situation.

So I chose to comfort him.

"Has no one been trying to set you up with anyone lately?"

Jiang Hui was very confident about repairing the car.

However, there is indeed no business right now, and saying too much would only make Lin Wanqiu worry.

So Jiang Hui changed the subject.

Since there was little chance of business coming in today, Jiang Hui simply picked up his toolbox, took the plank, and followed Lin Wanqiu back.